XplanaZine

Updates on: University of Arizona’s virtual campus, Intel’s Classmate PC initiative, Ohio University’s improvements in information security, North Carolina School District’s literacy program and Fast ForWord

The University of Arizona’s Office of Student Computing Resources has subleased an island on Second Life and is going to use it to teach and test building and scripting in a digital environment, facilitate community outreach projects, and recruit students. More than 400 other higher education institutions have opened Second Life accounts. – UA News

Intel World Ahead launched the Classmate PC, a project under which a student and a teacher get PCs, which it had test-run in a Nigerian school for two years. The concept is similar to the One Laptop per Child initiative, but emphasizes teacher training and teacher-student connectivity. The Intel program has pledged $1bn in the next five years to accelerate access to computers, the Internet and local content for people in developing countries. — AllAfrica.com

Ohio University plans to enhance its information security practices after a series of setbacks, including exposed Social Security numbers and legal disputes with the Recording Industry Association. — Campus Technology

North Carolina School District will use Fast ForWord software to improve reading skills in children at risk. The software applies neuroscience principles and works to increase the brain’s efficiency in processing information. — T.H.E. Journal